Entergy Corporation (ETR) vs The Southern Company (SO)

SO leads on 13 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Entergy Corporation and The Southern Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 9, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — ETR vs SO

growth of $100 · last 30y
ETR +759.1%SO +576.8%ETR compounded faster
0200400600800Start $100200120062011201620212026$859$677
ETR SO

ETR vs SO: by the numbers

  • SO is the larger company ($107.29B vs $52.17B market cap).
  • SO trades at the lower earnings multiple (24.65 vs 29.17 P/E).
  • SO converts more revenue to profit (14.46% vs 13.56% net margin).
  • SO grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.25% vs 4.76% CAGR).
  • SO pays the higher dividend yield (3.15% vs 2.24%).

Which is better, ETR or SO?

Metric tally: ETR 2 · SO 13

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueSO(lower P/E)
GrowthSO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSO(higher dividend yield)
QualitySO(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricETRSO
P/E ratio29.1724.65
Forward P/E25.9821.06
P/S ratio3.983.60
P/B ratio3.052.93
PEG ratio0.384.14
EV / EBITDA15.2913.77

Profitability

MetricETRSO
Gross margin29.91%29.81%
Operating margin22.57%24.15%
Net margin13.56%14.46%
ROE10.39%11.75%
ROIC3.55%4.36%

Dividends

MetricETRSO
Dividend yield2.24%3.15%
Payout ratio64.32%77.16%

Growth (annualized)

MetricETRSO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.76%7.25%
EPS CAGR (5Y)2.78%5.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-28.10%-14.36%
Total return CAGR (5Y)21.70%13.48%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ETR or SO?
It depends on your goal. value: SO (lower P/E); growth: SO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SO (higher dividend yield); quality: SO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SO leads 13 to 2.
Is ETR or SO cheaper?
On trailing earnings, SO is cheaper: ETR trades at a 29.17 P/E and SO at 24.65.
Which has grown faster, ETR or SO?
Over the past five years, SO grew revenue faster — ETR at a 4.76% CAGR versus SO at 7.25%.
Does ETR or SO pay a bigger dividend?
ETR yields 2.24% and SO yields 3.15% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ETR or SO more profitable?
SO runs the higher net margin — ETR at 13.56% versus SO at 14.46%.
Which has been the better investment, ETR or SO?
Over the past 10-year, ETR delivered the higher annualized total return — ETR at 15.25% versus SO at 10.40%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified July 9, 2026.